Will Rough Week Affect Ryder Cuppers?

[Thrash13]

So far, this week of golf hasn't started off very good for the United States Ryder Cup members. We all know by now Tiger and Jim Furyk were ousted quite emphatically at the World Match Play Championship by Shaun Micheel and Robert Karlsson, respectively.

Just glancing at the scoreboard for the 84 Lumber Classic, here is what I see from some of the others in the field:

David Toms: shot 70 yesterday
Scott Verplank: +2 today (Even overall)
Chad Campbell: +5 today (+4 overall)
Brett Wetterich: shot 75 yesterday
Chris DiMarco: shot 74 yesterday

Other than Toms, nobody is beating the door down with solid play. I know the weekend is far from over, but things aren't looking great for the Americans.

If I recall correctly, Zach Johnson finished T60 last week, and Vaughn Taylor missed the cut by plenty.

That leaves JJ Henry and Stewart Cink who have played solid as of late. And of course Phil who hasn't played in awhile.

Is this rough week a cause for concern for the United States, or is it nothing to worry about?


Edit: I figured I would drop a link from CNNSI as well. A little comedy never hurt. This thing had me laughing pretty good.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mul...content.1.html

[Madriver]

I think it's a problem. I think it shows Tigers chink. Ever since the US Amatuer, Tiger has not shown a consistant ability to win in match play. After he reeled off 3 straight Amatuers you would think him unbeatable. However, if you look at his mindset, he wins the task at hand. Meaning during his amatuer carrer he had to win the US Amaturer and did. In his pro carrer he has to win majors, which he does. I don't think he has reprogramed if you will to win at Ryder Cup or match play. He needs four days to conquer the field. The rest of the team has always been in trouble.

[scottishgolfer121]

Casey Will Kill U All, His Power and he has his driving going and he is hitting greens and his putter is red hot, but Monty showed how good he is, he will lead us like Normal 2 a Good Victory, USA Watch Out!

[schlyer]

Maddriver: I gotta disagree on Tiger. I don't think its that he needs 4 days to win, its that over a short stretch - 18 holes - anybody is beatable. Tiger is better than everybody else, and the longer they play, the more often he'll rise to the top due to his consistency.

But in match play, a guy can get hot for 4 holes and win a match. This is what makes Tiger's US Am titles all the more impressive.

[allin]

If a player has had a series of bad finishes over the past 6 weeks or so that is a concern. The last weekend before the cup shouldn't be over emphasized. Players may be distracted, media requests, anticipation of whats coming etc. Some players thrive in the Ryder Cups atmosphere, some don't. The week before probably is not much of a predictor.